steer clear
verb1
Figuratively, Often, Followed by of To avoid; to dodge; to sidestep.
- I always told Sir John to steer clear of too much journalizing.1835, James Fenimore Cooper, The Monikins, Introduction:
- Foreign youth steer clear of the gymnasium; its rules are too severe.1880, Mark Twain, chapter 4, in A Tramp Abroad:
3 more examples
- "You steer clear of that rascally teacher and young Merwell," advised Dave's father. "They are a bad lot." "I'll steer clear if I can," answered Dave.1914, Edward Stratemeyer, chapter 10, in Dave Porter in the Gold Fields:
- But unless you are also philosophical and like to listen to a lot of dialogue—or, worse yet, read reams of subtitles—I think you'd be wise to steer clear.1964 January 28, Bosley Crowther, “Movie Review: The Seventh Juror (1962)”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 Jan 2014:
- If you think you can steer clear of government surveillance by staying off-line, think again.2013, “Surveillance State: Three Ways You're Being Watched”, in BloombergBusinessweek Videos, retrieved 15 Jan 2014: